Tyminski top Bluegrass male vocalist for 4th time

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Dan Tyminski was voted male vocalist of the year for the fourth time Thursday night at the 20th annual International Bluegrass Music Awards.

Tyminski , who also won the award in 2001, 2002 and 2003, thanked his band members.

“I couldn’t ask for a better bunch of guys,” he said, battling loss of voice on bluegrass’ biggest night.

Tyminski, a guitarist and singer, and his band had nine nominations.

Tyminski is a member of Alison Krauss’ group Union Station, but he had time away from the band in recent months as Krauss was busy working with Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant.

Comedian/actor Steve Martin, who was up for six honors, won two minor awards presented earlier Thursday for best liner notes and best graphic design for his first music album, “The Crow: New Songs for the Five-String Banjo,” which has topped the bluegrass charts this year.

Martin and his five-member band, the Steep Canyon Rangers, played “Saga of the Old West” to spirited applause at the Ryman Auditorium. He was introduced by Pete Werrick of Hot Rize, who quipped: “Here’s a man who needs an introduction.”

Martin, who has played banjo for more than 40 years, said before the show it would feel like the Academy Awards to win something. He is a former Academy Awards host.

Dale Ann Bradley was voted top female vocalist for the third straight year, commenting, “I thank anybody who finds room for my music.”

Dailey & Vincent won vocal group of the year and best gospel recorded performance for “On the Other Side.”

Other winners included “Jerusalem Ridge,” by Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, instrumental recorded performance of the year; Kristin Scott Benson, banjo player of the year; “Proud to Be a Daughter of Bluegrass,” the Daughters of Bluegrass; Josh Williams, guitarist of the year; Michael Cleveland, fiddle player of the year; Rob Ickes, dobro player of the year; the SteelDrivers, emerging artist of the year; Jesse Brock, mandolin player of the year; “Don’t Throw Mamma’s Flowers Away,” Danny Paisley and the Southern Grass; Marshall Wilborn, bass player of the year; Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, instrumental group of the year.

As announced previously, The Dillards and The Lonesome Pine Fiddlers were inducted into the IBMA Hall of Fame. The Dillards were the Darlins on “The Andy Griffith Show,” and The Lonesome Pine Fiddlers became pioneers as the first bluegrass band signed to the RCA Victor label in the late 1950s.

Kathy Mattea and the band Hot Rize were hosts of the show.

Winners were chosen by the 2,500 members of the Nashville-based International Bluegrass Music Association.

The show was not televised but was broadcast on satellite radio to more than 300 U.S. markets and 14 foreign networks.